Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced today that James O’Bryan Speight, 24 years old, who previously resided in the 200 block of Rosegate Place in Virginia Beach, Virginia, was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge William R. O’Brien for charges of Robbery, Attempted Robbery (2 counts), Use of a Firearm (3 counts), Possession of Firearm by Felon, and a Violation of Probation. Judge O’Brien sentenced Speight to 62 years in the Department of Corrections with 42 years suspended, leaving 18 years to serve.

Speight was found guilty by Judge O’Brien after a trial in February 2013. The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on November 3, 2011, the four victims were leaving Wendy’s on Lynnhaven Parkway when James O’Bryan Speight stopped the car and asked for a cigarette. His co-defendant, Roy Lee Jones, then hopped into the backseat of the car, displayed a firearm and demanded property from all four victims. Speight displayed a firearm from outside of the car as well. Jones and Speight took property from two of the victims and went through the pockets of the other two, then fled on foot. The victims followed Jones and Speight briefly, and Jones turned and fired two shots at them. The victims then flagged down a nearby police officer and were able to point out the suspects as they fled.

Jones is currently serving a 27-year sentence for charges of Maliciously Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle, Robbery with Use of a Firearm, Robbery with Use of a Firearm-Attempt (2 counts), Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony (3 counts), and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Speight has a prior conviction for Attempted Robbery. He was on probation during this event, which resulted in a Violation of Probation charge as well.